Effect of Psycho-Educational Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression at Postintervention and Follow-Up in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effectiveness of the psycho-educational intervention in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms for women with breast cancer in post- and follow-up status. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of 16 electronic databases to identify all randomized controlled trial studies that examine the effects of psycho-education on anxiety and depression among women with breast cancer. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) between groups in depression and anxiety levels for postintervention and follow-up were computed for each study. CONCLUSION: Evidence suggests that psycho-educational intervention effectively relieves anxiety and depressive symptoms among women with breast cancer postintervention and follow-up. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: A significant effect of the psycho-education intervention was found to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in women with breast cancer. Such service was recommended in nursing practice.

Development of the Inpatient Dignity Scale Through Studies in Japan, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

PURPOSE: The importance of human dignity in care is well-recognized. Care recipients' experiences with undignified care have been reported in many countries. However, few studies have measured these situations quantitatively, especially as there are no tools applicable to inpatients receiving ordinary daily care. This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable Inpatient Dignity Scale (IPDS) that can measure inpatients' expectations of and satisfaction with dignity in daily care. METHODS: We conducted a three-phase research project: item generation and a preliminary survey with 47 items related to patients' dignity in Japan, a main survey with 36 items with deliberate translation into English in Singapore, and a confirmatory survey with 35 items in England, with 442, 430, and 500 inpatients as participants in questionnaire surveys, respectively. Data from each survey were processed using factor analysis. RESULTS: Authors obtained a scale with a four-factor structure with acceptable reliability: (F1) respect as a human being, (F2) respect for personal feelings and time, (F3) respect for privacy, and (F4) respect for autonomy. CONCLUSION: The Inpatient Dignity Scale can be periodically used by hospital administrators or nurses to preserve inpatients' dignity in daily care by monitoring inpatients' views regarding their expectations of and satisfaction with dignity.

Nurses' self-confidence and attitudes in using the Glasgow Coma Scale: a primary study.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine nurses' self-confidence and attitudes towards the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). BACKGROUND: The GCS measures the depth and duration of impaired consciousness. However, there is an increasing evidence that problems are encountered in completing some aspects of the GCS. DESIGN: This descriptive correlational study recruited 114 Registered Nurses (RNs) in one acute care hospital in Singapore. METHODS: A set of questionnaires were given to the participants. The questionnaire had three parts, which collected data on demographics, attitudes and self-confidence. RESULTS: Data analysis showed the type of clinical discipline (B=0.19), seniority in nursing (Staff Grade) (B=0.28) and higher attitude scores towards the GCS (B=0.41) were significant factors determining a nurse's confidence in using the GCS. A longer length of time working in a Neuroscience setting (B=0.21) and higher self-confidence scores (B=0.41) were significant factors determining a nurse's attitude towards the GCS. CONCLUSION: To ensure patient safety, the GCS has to be performed accurately. This study has shown there are differences in attitudes and self-confidence in using the GCS between nurses of different demographics, and that there are a variety of factors influencing their attitudes and confidence. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Mentoring and educational interventions are suggested in order to reduce safety risks resulting from lower proficiency in using the GCS.

A randomised controlled study to explore the effect of life story review on depression in older Chinese in Singapore.

There is little evidence to support the efficacy of the life storybook creation process, which incorporates the use of narratives, in mediating depression levels. The study aimed to examine the effects of the life storybook creation process on depressive symptoms among older community-dwelling Chinese adults in Singapore. A randomised controlled trial was conducted from January 2011 to March 2012. Twenty-six Chinese aged over 60 years, who were able to communicate in Chinese and/or English, and with mild to severe depression were randomly allocated to either the life storybook (intervention) group (n = 14) or the non-life storybook (control) group (n = 12). Subjects in the intervention group were interviewed on a one to one basis on five sessions over 8 weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Generalised estimating equations were used to examine the effects of the intervention on the elderly peoples' depression level. Significant reductions in depression scores were found in the intervention group from baseline (mean 7.9 [SD 3.0]) to week 8 (2.5 [1.7], χ(2) = 15.25, P < 0.001). At week 8, the intervention group showed a lower level of depression than the control (χ(2) = 4.33, P = 0.037). This study supports the life storybook creation process as an effective intervention for depressed older Chinese adults living in the community. The findings suggest that this intervention may enhance the quality of care provided by healthcare providers as the therapeutic relationship between provider and client is being established.